May 5, 2013
Jaguar F-TYPE at the Shanghai Auto Show 2013
Photo: Jaguar F-TYPE at the Shanghai Auto Show 2013. Jaguar F-TYPE is a two-seater sports car and is Jaguar’s new ‘icon’.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 2:12 PM
April 25, 2013
Traffic Congestion Rising in USA, Declining in Europe
INRIX, a leading international provider of traffic information and driver services, today released its sixth Traffic Scorecard Annual Report, which revealed that traffic congestion in the USA is back on the rise in 2013 after two consecutive years of declines. In the first three months of this year, traffic congestion is up 4 percent compared to 2012. The uptick in traffic congestion in 2013 follows a 22 percent decrease in 2012.
U.S. Traffic Patterns & Worst Traffic Corridors
By analyzing traffic in USA’s 100 largest metropolitan areas in 2012, INRIX revealed that drivers wasted an average of 42 hours in America’s Top 10 Worst Traffic Cities - the equivalent to one week of vacation.
Top 10 Worst Cities for Traffic in America in 2012
RANK — CITY — HOURS LOST IN 2012
1 — Los Angeles — 59
2 — Honolulu — 50
3 — San Francisco — 49
4 — Austin, TX — 38
5 — New York — 50
6 — Bridgeport, CT — 39
7 — San Jose, CA — 31
8 — Seattle — 35
9 — Washington, D.C. — 41
10 — Boston — 31
Findings also exposed that drivers wasted an average of 62 hours last year on America’s most congested roads. The Top 10 Worst Roads for Traffic in 2012 were:
The Cross Bronx Expy (New York: I-95 SB) - Drivers on New York’s worst highway waste over six days each year in traffic.
The San Diego Fwy (L.A.: I-405 SB) - Consistently jammed in both directions, the 405 is LA’s worst freeway; the 8.1-mile stretch leading to Mullholland Dr. takes drivers over 50 minutes on Tuesday mornings - the worst day and time of the week.
The Van Wyck Expy (New York: I-678 SB) - On Thursdays between 4-5 p.m., drivers crawl at 10 mph, and it takes nearly 40 minutes to travel 6 miles.
The Santa Monica Fwy (L.A.: I-10 EB) - It can take drivers up to over an hour (63 min) to navigate the 15-mile stretch from Lincoln Blvd. to Alameda.
The Riverside Fwy (L.A.: CA-91 EB) - Drivers waste approximately six days per year in gridlock on this road.
The Long Island Expy (New York: I-495 EB) - New Yorkers waste more than a half hour per day on the evening commute in traffic on the L.I.E.
Brooklyn Queens Expy (New York: I-278 WB) - It takes approximately an hour to go 10 miles on this highway during the Tuesday evening commute.
San Diego Fwy (L.A.: I-405 NB) -A 13-mile stretch up to Getty Center Drive takes 40 minutes at a crawl of 20 mph.
The Dan Ryan/Kennedy Expy (Chicago: I-90/I-94 WB) - Chicago commuters waste approximately one work week (5 days) every year in traffic on this popular road to O’Hare Airport.
The Santa Ana/Golden St. Fwy (L.A. I-5 SB) - An 18-minute trip on this 17-mile stretch takes almost 50 minutes on weekday afternoons
Additionally, the Scorecard uncovered several other interesting trends regarding U.S. commute times during rush hour. According to INRIX, the worst times to be on the roads in terms of delay are weekday mornings between 7-8 a.m. and weekday evenings between 4-5 p.m. The busiest morning commute hour is Tuesday from 8-9 a.m., and the busiest evening commute takes place on Friday from 5-6 p.m.
Global Traffic Trends
While the Scorecard tells the story of rising traffic congestion indicative of a recovering economy, the report shows that, unlike the U.S., Europe traffic congestion is decreasing as the Eurozone continues to struggle through its debt crisis. Traffic congestion fell 18 percent across Europe in 2012 and continues to spiral downward in 2013 with a further 23 percent decline in the first quarter.
Aside from Luxembourg, the remaining 11 European countries analyzed in the report continue to show steep declines. Even Germany, the long-considered economic stalwart of the EU, showed declines in 2012.
COUNTRY — HOURS LOST IN 2012
Portugal — 11
Italy — 22
Luxembourg — 29
Spain — 25
Hungary — 16
United Kingdom — 29
Austria — 25
Netherlands — 52
Germany — 37
France — 37
Luxembourg has the largest increases in traffic with congestion up by 38 percent in 2013. Ireland is up 10 percent in the same period. Traffic congestion in Europe’s financial capital of London is up 23 percent in the first three months of 2013.
According to INRIX, after leveraging trillions of data points collected and archived by its Traffic Intelligence platform, the Scorecard publishes the most up-to-date information regarding overall congestion and the worst roads for traffic across America. By analyzing hundreds of thousands of road segments totaling nearly 2 million miles of major highways, arterials and city streets nationwide - with a special focus on the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan areas - the Scorecard informs the ongoing debate of one of the USA’s most frustrating and intractable issues — Traffic Congestion.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 11:33 AM
April 7, 2013
Developing Smarter Drivers: Shell Launches "Target One Million" Program
As part of its “Smarter Driving” program, Shell Oil Company today announced the US launch of “Target One Million”. The goal of this initiative is to show one million people worldwide how easy it is to become more fuel efficient.
Shell Oil Company also announced its new study that provides insight into current US driver attitudes on fuel efficiency and compares them to those of drivers in other countries.
According to Shell, while, for years, American car culture has influenced US motorist behavior, affecting everything from what they drive to how they drive and maintain their vehicles, this new study counters some common myths and reveals that Americans care about using energy resources wisely, understand the importance of fuel efficiency and want to learn more about how to save fuel.
The study shows:
• Americans are more concerned about energy waste compared to other countries surveyed, with half of US drivers bothered by people wasting energy and 54 percent seeing it as a waste of resources beyond just money.
• US drivers recognize the positive impact of fuel efficiency both financially and out of respect for the planet’s resources. Seventy-seven percent see being fuel efficient as an important way for them to personally use resources in a more sustainable way, while 86 percent also see it as important for saving money.
• 63 percent of drivers indicate a willingness to change their driving behaviors to be more fuel efficient, nearly one in three US drivers also indicated they don’t know how to drive more efficiently.
“Shell has more than 100 years of experience showing the world’s drivers how to get more out of their fuel,” said Elen Phillips, vice president, Shell Fuels Sales & Marketing Americas. “From this new research, it’s clear that Americans want to know more. Programs like Smarter Driving and Target One Million are extremely important in demonstrating simple changes motorists can make to their driving habits to become more fuel efficient and to save at the pump.”
Shell has developed a Smarter Driving program for motorists to help them go further on less fuel by helping them “M.A.P.” their own journey to Smarter Driving. M.A.P. stands for:
• Maintenance : Perform smart maintenance before you drive;
• Actions : Practice smart behaviors while you’re behind the wheel; and
• Products : Purchase smart products and services without sacrificing price or quality.
Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Royal Dutch Shell plc, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with 93,000 employees in more than 90 countries.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 5:34 AM
February 21, 2013
CARTIER ‘TRAVEL WITH STYLE’ CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE 2013
Globally renowned exhibit of rare and unseen automotive treasures from bygone days — At The Taj Lands End, Mumbai, India.
Photo: 1930 Austin 7 Ulster on display during the Pre Judging of the Cartier ‘Travel With Style’ Concours 2013 Opening at Taj Lands End on February 9, 2013 in Mumbai, India. (Photo © Aditya Kapoor/Getty Images for Cartier).
Photo: 1906 Napier type L76 at the Cartier ‘Travel With Style’ Concours 2013 at Taj Lands End on February 10, 2013 in Mumbai, India. (Photo © Aditya Kapoor/Getty Images for Cartier).
Photo: 1912 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost on display at the Cartier ‘Travel With Style’ Concours 2013 at Taj Lands End on February 10, 2013 in Mumbai, India. (Photo © Aditya Kapoor/Getty Images for Cartier).
Mumbai played host to one of the world’s most prestigious automotive events - The Third Cartier Travel with Style Concours d’Elegance 2013. Cartier ‘Travel with Style’ is among the world’s best four Concours d’Elegance - a one of a kind vintage car exhibition and competition held every two years in India.
This year, amidst the opulence of over 100 of the rarest automobiles from the esteemed stables of Indian royal patrons and noted private collectors, guests mingled over lunch and high tea at a specially curated exhibition space spread across the lawns of Taj Lands End.
The distinct exhibit culminated with an award giving ceremony hosted by Master of Ceremony Mr. Alan de Cadenet. The Best Car of the Show was Rolls Royce 1935 Model No: Phantom II owned by H.H. Maharaja Gaj Singhji of Jodhpur.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 3:44 AM
January 13, 2013
Lamborghini presents the new Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster
Photos: Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster.
According to Automobili Lamborghini, the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster is the most exciting series production Lamborghini ever built and is the new benchmark in the world of open-top luxury super sports cars.
The new Aventador LP700-4 Roadster boasts record performance. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3 seconds flat and has a maximum speed of some 350 km/h.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 5:15 AM
December 26, 2012
Fiat-Chrysler Group Unveils Roadmap for India
Photos: Fiat 500S
Photo: 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition.
Photo: 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Vapor Edition.
Fiat-Chrysler Group has announced a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening its position in the Indian market. These initiatives include the official launch of the Jeep brand in India. The company will launch nine new models under the Fiat and Jeep brands in the next few years including the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Grand Cherokee, which will be imported toward the end of 2013. Jeep vehicles will be sold via a Jeep dealer network that will leverage the service and parts support offered by an expanding Fiat dealer network.
The company will expand its domestic production to include the new Fiat Linea classic edition and the new Fiat Punto edition.
“Our vision for India will revolve around a three-pronged strategy,” said Mike Manley, Chief Operating Officer for Asia and President and CEO - Jeep Brand. “First, introduction of new vehicles that will soon include the legendary Jeep brand. Second, the expansion of our independent dealer network and, finally, strong marketing initiatives that will continue to improve our awareness and brand perception in the market.”
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 9:30 AM
November 30, 2012
World Premiere of the new Porsche Cayman
Porsche is celebrating the world premiere of the new Cayman at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. The third generation of the Cayman, which is making its appearance before an international audience at the LA Convention Center, has been re-engineered from the ground up - it is lower and longer, lighter and faster, more efficient and more powerful. The two-seat sport coupe will be launched on the market in two versions: Cayman and Cayman S. A longer wheelbase, wider track and larger wheels enhance the driving performance of the new model of this mid-engine sports car.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 9:23 AM
November 22, 2012
Motorsports: Formula One returns to the USA
Photos: Formula One - United States GP, Austin, Texas. November 16-18, 2012 (Credit: Red Bull and Daimler AG).
Formula One returned to the United States of America with the penultimate round of the 2012 Formula One World Championship held at the purpose-built Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, November 18, 2012.
Austin is the 10th venue for a F1 race in the USA (after Dallas, Detroit, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Long Beach, Phoenix, Riverside, Sebring and Watkins Glen).
2012 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX RESULTS
Position — Driver — Country — Team
- Lewis Hamilton — Great Britain — McLaren-Mercedes
- Sebastian Vettel — Germany — Red Bull Racing-Renault
- Fernando Alonso — Spain — Ferrari
- Felipe Massa — Brazil — Ferrari
- Jenson Button — Great Britain — McLaren-Mercedes
- Kimi Raikkonen — Finland — Lotus-Renault
- Romain Grosjean — France — Lotus-Renault
- Nico Hulkenberg — Germany — Force India-Mercedes
- Pastor Maldonado — Venezuela — Williams-Renault
- Bruno Senna — Brazil — Williams-Renault
- Sergio Perez — Mexico — Sauber-Ferrari
- Daniel Ricciardo — Australia — STR-Ferrari
- Nico Rosberg — Germany — Mercedes
- Kamui Kobayashi — Japan — Sauber-Ferrari
- Paul di Resta — Great Britain — Force India-Mercedes
- Michael Schumacher — Germany — Mercedes
- Vitaly Petrov — Russia — Caterham-Renault
- Heikki Kovalainen — Finland — Caterham-Renault
- Timo Glock — Germany — Marussia-Cosworth
- Charles Pic — France — Marussia-Cosworth
- Pedro de la Rosa — Spain — HRT-Cosworth
- Narain Karthikeyan — India — HRT-Cosworth
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 12:19 PM
October 30, 2012
Formula One World Championship 2012 - India Grand Prix
Photos: FIA Formula One World Championship 2012 - India. From above: Mark Webber in Action, 26 Oct 2012, Delhi; Sebastian Vettel in Action, 28 Oct 2012, Delhi; Sebastian Vettel in Action, 28 Oct 2012, Delhi; Mark Webber in Action, 27 Oct 2012, Delhi; Sebastian Vettel declared Winner, 28 Oct 2012, Delhi (Photos © Red Bull).
Indian GP Top 5 (Position - Driver - Country - Team)
- Sebastian Vettel - Germany - Red Bull Racing-Renault
- Fernando Alonso - Spain - Ferrari
- Mark Webber - Australia - Red Bull Racing-Renault
- Lewis Hamilton - Britain - McLaren-Mercedes
- Jenson Button - Britain - McLaren-Mercedes
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 or Grand Prix is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). The F1 season consists of a series of races, held on purpose-built circuits and occasionally on street circuits. The result of each race is combined to determine two annual FIA Formula One World Championships.
Formula One cars are considered to be the fastest circuit-racing cars in the world. Formula One cars race at speeds of up to 318 km/h (192 mph).
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 8:59 AM
October 28, 2012
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week to take place at Las Vegas
Photo: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet, races Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, and Jamie McMurray, driver of the #1 Bass Pro Shops/Allstate Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 7, 2012 in Talladega, Alabama. Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR.
Photo: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Halloween Toyota, practices for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 26, 2012 in Ridgeway, Virginia. Credit: Rainier Ehrhardt/Getty Images for NASCAR.
Photo: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #51 Toyota Toyota, passes Matt Crafton, driver of the #88 Zecol/Menards Toyota, for the leads during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway on October 27, 2012 in Ridgeway, Virginia. Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR.
Photo: Tissot brand ambassador Danica Patrick poses with the No. 7 Tissot Chevrolet after unveiling the new Tissot lobby clocks at Madison Square Garden. Credit: Tissot.
Photo: Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #20 Freightliner Trucks Toyota, and Justin Allgaier, driver of the #31 Brandt Chevrolet, lead the field to the start/finish line to start the NASCAR Nationwide Series OneMain Financial 200 at Dover International Speedway on September 29, 2012 in Dover, Delaware. Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images.
NASCAR will return to Las Vegas for the postseason NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week — a star-studded, entertainment-filled celebration for the series champion and NASCAR fans, culminating with the highly anticipated NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards.
This year’s annual awards will take place Nov. 30, returning to Wynn Las Vegas with SPEED, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio providing live coverage. As in past years, fans can expect an exciting interactive week of activities that celebrate the 2012 season and also build excitement for the 2013 season ahead.
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for one of North America’s premier sports. NASCAR races are broadcast in more than 150 countries and in 20 languages. NASCAR fans are among the most brand-loyal in all of sports, and as a result more Fortune 500 companies participate in NASCAR than any other sport. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series), four regional series, and one local grassroots series, as well as three international series.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 12:00 PM
October 6, 2012
Freestyle Motocross: Levi Sherwood of New Zealand wins the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour in Sydney — The best FMX Athletes in the World bring an Explosion of Tricks like Never Seen Before
Photo: Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour 2012 Sydney. Dany Torres (Spain) in Action. 05.Oct 2012. Sydney, Australia. (© Red Bull).
Photo: Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour 2012 Sydney. Levi Sherwood (NZL) in Action. 06.Oct 2012. Sydney, Australia. (© Red Bull).
Photo: Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour 2012 Sydney. Thomas Pages (FRANCE) in Action. 06.Oct 2012. Sydney, Australia. (© Red Bull).
Levi Sherwood of New Zealand won the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour on Saturday with a thrilling victory in the final round of the 2012 season in Australia over his hard-charging rival Thomas Pages of France.
Sherwood was the dominant force during the entire seven-month 2012 season with three wins, getting clear victories in the season opener in Dubai and then in the mid-summer classic in Madrid. But he was beaten decisively in Glen Helen, California by American Todd Potter, who held the championship lead through the middle of the season. Sherwood then opened a big lead after his win in Madrid but was beaten in Munich by red-hot Pages.
Sherwood was finally able to shake off his pesky French rival Pages, getting the clutch triumph he needed in the dramatic showdown battle to win the closest finish in the 12-year history of Red Bull X-Fighters. Pages dazzled the crowd in Sydney with breathtaking moves such as the flair or the volt. The flair is a mind-boggling 540-degree mid-air turn, the volt leaves him spinning in mid-air above his bike.
The best FMX Athletes in the world brought an explosion of tricks like never seen before in a Freestyle-Motocross-Event.
Results Sydney 2012:
- Levi Sherwood (NZL)
- Thomas Pages (FRA)
- Josh Sheehan (AUS)
- Jackson Strong (AUS)
- Eigo Sato (JPN)
- Taka Higashino (JPN)
- Dany Torres (ESP)
- Cameron Sinclair (AUS)
- Blake Williams (AUS)
- Javier Villegas (CHL)
- Todd Potter (USA)
Results World Tour 2012:
- Levi Sherwood (NEW ZEALAND): 335 points
- Thomas Pages (FRANCE): 315 points
- Dany Torres (SPAIN): 215 points
- Javier Villegas (CHILE): 190 points
- Eigo Sato (JAPAN): 190 points
- Todd Potter (USA): 155 points
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 9:35 AM
September 29, 2012
Bridgestone Displays Concept Tire of “100% Sustainable Materials” at the 2012 Paris Motor Show
Photos: Bridgestone at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.
Photo: Bridgestone Battlax Sportbike Tires
Bridgestone Corporation is exhibiting a concept tire of 100% sustainable materials at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.
According to Bridgestone, as the world’s largest tire and rubber manufacturer, it is working to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society while providing a constant and reliable supply of advanced and high-quality products to meet the needs of its customers around the world.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 1:34 PM
September 21, 2012
Taxi of Tomorrow: New York City Approves Nissan as Exclusive Taxi Provider
According to Nissan, New York City’s Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) has officially approved regulations requiring the replacement of taxicab vehicles with the Nissan NV200 Taxi of Tomorrow.
The exclusive agreement begins in late 2013, when the first Nissan taxis will hit the New York streets, Nissan said. Powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, the Nissan NV200 is designed to reduce carbon emissions and enhance fuel efficiency across the entire taxi fleet, as old models are replaced.
Drawing on its full range of commercial vehicle experience - including providing taxis for municipalities around the world - Nissan is in the process of conducting extensive testing for the Nissan NV200 Taxi prior to the vehicle going on sale.
Designed from the inside out, using input from New York taxi drivers, fleets and passengers, standard interior features and passenger amenities include:
• Ample room for four passengers and their luggage, offering substantial improvements over current taxi models.
• Sliding doors with entry step and grab handles, providing easy entry and exit.
• Transparent roof panel, presenting unique views of the city.
• Opening side windows.
• Independently controlled rear air conditioning.
• Active Carbon Lined headliner to help neutralize interior odors.
• Overhead reading lights for passengers and floor lighting to help locate belongings.
• A mobile charging station for passengers, including a 12-volt electrical outlet and two USB ports.
• Driver and passenger intercom system.
In addition, important safety features of the Taxi of Tomorrow include:
• Only taxi ever to be safety tested and certified with full taxi partition.
• Front and rear-seat occupant curtain airbags, and seat-mounted airbags for the front row.
• Standard traction control and Vehicle Dynamic Control.
• Sliding doors to lessen risk of pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists getting struck by doors opening unexpectedly.
• Lights that alert other road users that taxi doors are opening.
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing.
• Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second largest Japanese automotive company by volume, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan and is an integral pillar of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 150,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.6 million vehicles in 2011.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 6:33 AM
September 3, 2012
Made in Italy: Lancia is main sponsor of the 69th Venice International Film Festival
Photo: Actor Luca Argentero and Actress Myriam Catania attend the Lancia Cafe during the 69th Venice Film Festival on August 31, 2012 in Venice, Italy. (Photo © Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Lancia).
Photo: Actress Barbora Bobulova shows her award during the ‘Premio Kineo’ Ceremony during the 69th Venice International Film Festival at Lancia Cafe on August 30, 2012 in Venice, Italy. (Photo © Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Lancia).
For the seventh consecutive year, the Italian automobile manufacturer Lancia (a part of the Fiat Group) is the main sponsor of the Venice International Film Festival, scheduled from August 29 to 8 September 2012.
The new Lancia Flavia ia being used to provide an exclusive courtesy car service. The glamorous convertible embraces the stylistic features of the Lancia brand. Equipped with 175 HP 2.4 litre petrol engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission, the new Lancia Flavia boasts generous external dimensions. It can accommodate up to four adults.
During the Venice Film Festival, Lancia will present a special edition of the new Flavia created in collaboration with Italian furniture maker Poltrona Frau. This special edition car is distinguished by its seats and armrests completely covered in red Pelle Frau Pieno Fiore leather.
“The new Flavia is the perfect expression of the Italian way of life and the beauty of Italian lifestyle based on taste, imagination, style and refinement,” the company said. “The front wheel drive Lancia Flavia guarantees a refined driving experience unparalleled by any other in its segment, whether tackling the daily trip in town to go to the office or when travelling those spectacular panoramic roads out of town on weekends.”
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 12:51 AM
August 22, 2012
New Renault Clio with "Love at First Sight" Styling
Since the launch of the original model in 1990, some 11.5 million Clios have been sold in more than 115 countries.
The new Renault Clio stands out through the following features:
• Sensuous, passionate styling, the fruit of the Renault design renaissance, plus an extensive range of exterior and interior personalisation options.
• Affordable innovative technologies: Reversing camera, keyless entry, Renault R-Sound app, Renault Bass Reflex system.
• Six-speed EDC dual clutch automatic transmission.
• Renault R-Link, an integrated internet-connected touchscreen tablet.
• Comprehensive range of engines engineered to deliver fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.
New Renault Clio is the first production model to give full expression to the Renault design renaissance inspired by Laurens van den Acker, Senior Vice-President, Corporate Design.
• Renault competition: 150 schoolchildren in 12 countries working for road safety:
Isabelle Franciosa reports:
Renault has for over a decade been raising the awareness of one million children a year through its Safety and Mobility for All program. The YOUR Ideas, YOUR Initiatives competition is part of this effort, giving children and teenagers worldwide the chance to create projects on road safety and sustainable mobility.
The best projects are short-listed and shared at a big international event. In 2012 the 13 finalist teams met at the Paris Science and Industry Museum to present their projects to the jury. The first prizes went to the teams from Slovenia and India. The initiative is part of the company’s social responsibility policy and contributes to the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 9:10 AM
April 18, 2012
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 2011 — President Obama honors NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart
The 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season was the 63rd season of professional stock car racing in the United States. The season included 36 races and two exhibition races, beginning with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway and ending with the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The final ten races were known as 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup. Tony Stewart won the Drivers’ Championship with a victory at the final race of the season in a tiebreak over Carl Edwards. Chevrolet won the Manufacturers’ Championship with 248 points.
Photo: U.S. President Barack Obama (R), and NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart walk into an event on the South Lawn, April 17, 2012 at the White House in Washington, DC. President Obama hosted the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Tony Stewart to honor his championship season. (Photo © Mark Wilson/Getty Images).
Photo: Kevin Swindell, driver of the #16 RickyVsTrevor.com Ford, leads Josh Wise, driver of the #7 “We Salute You” Chevrolet, and Ryan Truex, driver of the #99 Pastrana Waltrip Racing Toyota, during the NASCAR Nationwide Series 5-hour ENERGY 200 at Dover International Speedway on May 14, 2011 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo © Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR).
Photo: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet, races Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Mobil 1/Office Depot Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 6, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo © John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR).
Photo: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #6 Blackwell Angus Ford, and Brad Keselowski, driver of the #22 Discount Tire Dodge, lead the field into turn one during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Kroger 200 at Lucas Oil Raceway on July 30, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo © Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR).
Photo: Carl Edwards, driver of the #60 Ford Drive one Ford, celebrates with a backflip after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series 11th Annual Nashville 300 at Nashville Superspeedway on April 23, 2011 in Lebanon, Tennessee. (Photo © Grant Halverson/Getty Images for NASCAR).
Photo: Trevor Bayne, driver of the #16 NESN Ford, races Carl Edwards, driver of the #60 Fastenal/Lenox Ford, and Kevin Harvick, driver of the #33 Rheem Heating, Cooling & Water Heating Chevrolet, three wide during the NASCAR Nationwide Series New England 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 16, 2011 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo © Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images).
Photo: Ryan Newman, driver of the #39 Bass Pro Shops/Realtree Outfitters Chevrolet, leads the field at the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 27, 2011 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo © Tom Pennington/Getty Images).
Photo: Trevor Bayne, driver of the #16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford, gets a push from teammate David Ragan, driver of the #6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford, during testing at Talladega Superspeedway on October 20, 2011 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo © Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR).
Photo: Mark Martin, driver of the #32 Dollar General Chevrolet, celebrates on track after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 5, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo © Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR).
Photo: Jeff Gordon giving autographs during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series COKE ZERO 400 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway on June 30, 2011 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo © Geoff Burke/Getty Images).
Photo: Ryan Newman, driver of the #39 U.S. Army Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 17, 2011 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo © Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR).
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 12:22 PM
February 8, 2012
Nissan presents 2013 Nissan 370Z Sports Car at Chicago Auto Show
Nissan today debuted the revised 2013 Nissan 370Z on the floor of the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. The new Z® features a number of enhancements designed to keep the “legendary sports car fresh and exciting”.
“Since the original 1970 Z® was first introduced our goal has always been to keep the design moving forward. The changes for 2013, though subtle, go a long way in enhancing its dynamic appearance inside and out,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 7:49 AM
February 7, 2012
Volkswagen announces New Fuel-Efficient Beetle
Photo: Outside COBO Center at the 2012 NAIAS (North American International Auto Show) in Detroit, MI.
Photo: Volkswagen Chattanooga team members gathered around the 50,000th Passat. Photo Credit: Volkswagen Chattanooga.
• Volkswagen has announced a new Beetle model — Fuel-Efficient TDI Clean Diesel.
According to Volkswagen, it is its engine and transmission that makes TDI distinct. “The Beetle TDI uses the company’s 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injection Clean Diesel engine that makes 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque… and it has fuel economy estimates of 39 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg in the city.”
This model has either a six-speed manual transmission or “VW’s innovative”, dual-clutch DSG six-speed automatic.
Explaining its design, Volkswagen tells that this car breaks free of the design geometry defined by three semi-circles—front fender, rear fender, and domed roof above it. In TDI, the roof profile actually runs distinctly lower.
The Beetle TDI Clean Diesel has three models: TDI; TDI with Sunroof; and TDI with Sunroof, Sound, and Navigation.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 7:30 AM
February 1, 2012
Hyundai Ranks Highest in Customer Retention among 33 Automotive Brands
Photo: 2012 Hyundai Accent SE Five-Door.
Photo: 2012 Ford Focus Launch—Ford Motor Company celebrated the launch of the 2012 Ford Focus with employees, dealers, suppliers, media and other invited guests at the Michigan Assembly Plant. Photo by: Sam VarnHagen/Ford Motor Co.
Photo: 2012 Honda Fit Sport.
Photo: 2012 Toyota Camry - Daytona 500 Pace Car 002.
Photo: Chrysler Group LLC introduces Mopar ‘12, a custom Chrysler 300 that goes from 0-60 in the low five-second range. 2012 marks the 75th anniversary of Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand.
Photo: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible.
Photo: 2012 Cadillac CTS Touring Edition.
Photo: 2012 Jeep Wrangler Arctic.
One in three new-vehicle owners who switched brands say their previous brand didn’t make the type of vehicle they wanted, indicating that striking the right combination of model offerings and vehicle appeal is critical to retaining customers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Customer Retention Study. [J.D. Power and Associates, a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies, is a global marketing information services company providing performance improvement, social media and customer satisfaction insights and solutions.]
Now in its ninth year, the study measures the rate at which automotive brands retain their existing customers and examines the reasons why customers remain loyal. Customer retention is critical to a brand’s market success, particularly during the current period of market recovery, in which each new-vehicle sale is vital. In addition to customer retention, the study also measures the rate at which each automotive brand captures customers from its competitors, known as conquesting.
Among new-vehicle owners who switched vehicle brands for their latest purchase, 33 percent indicate that their previous brand didn’t offer the type of vehicle they wanted. Although this is a primary reason for switching, other key reasons relate to dissatisfaction with the previous vehicle, including the vehicle costs too much to own or maintain; there are too many problems with the vehicle; and the vehicle didn’t retain sufficient resale value.
“Many automotive brands are expanding their array of models in an attempt to capture more buyers, but this isn’t enough in and of itself,” said Raffi Festekjian, director of automotive product research at J.D. Power and Associates. “Manufacturers need to integrate specific attributes and features that delight vehicle owners to maximize their opportunity to both retain customers and conquest from other brands. Manufacturers also need to ensure owners are satisfied with the quality, residual values and ownership costs of their vehicles.”
According to Festekjian, brands that strike the right combination of all of these aspects stand the best chance of being reconsidered by current vehicle owners for their next new-vehicle purchase.
Hyundai ranks highest among automotive brands in retaining customers when they buy a new vehicle.
“Hyundai’s increased retention rate is shaped by its expanding model lineup, as well as the fact that perceptions of the brand’s quality and appeal have continued to improve during the past decade,” said Festekjian.
Following Hyundai in the rankings are Ford and Honda, in a tie, each with a customer retention rate of 60 percent. Jeep posts the greatest improvement in customer retention rate from 2010, improving by 17 percentage points to 51 percent in 2012.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 2:04 AM
January 22, 2012
Mercedes-Benz & VOGUE Fashion Night in Berlin
Photo: Alex Prager. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Autumn/Winter 2012. Press Talk in the Mercedes-Benz Lounge. January 19, 2012. Foto: Brauer for Mercedes-Benz.
Photos: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Berlin, Autumn/Winter 2012. RUNWAY FASHION. © DAN & CORINA LECCA.
The Mercedes-Benz & VOGUE Fashion Night in the Restaurant Borchardt is a popular industry get-together during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin.
On Wednesday evening, the movers and shakers in the fashion industry and numerous VIPs accepted the invitation of Christiane Arp, Editor-in-Chief of German VOGUE, and Anders Sundt Jensen, Vice President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars. Around 350 guests celebrated and chatted until well into the night.
In addition to the first day’s shows in the event venue, the global economic situation and its effects on the industry was a topic on everyone’s lips. The fashion industry and VIPs exchanged views in a relaxed ambience. Those present included the mayor of Berlin, film makers, celebrities, top models and fashion designers.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Posted by Editors at 4:38 AM
